A Champion for Change
Shaifalika Panda, a leading figure in India's social development sector, has been honored with the prestigious Shakti Award for her transformative work in empowering women and girls. The award was presented at the 'We Women Want Conclave 2025' in New Delhi, a high-profile platform that celebrates influential voices and grassroots change-makers. The recognition highlights Panda's sustained efforts, through the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation, to dismantle systemic barriers and foster an environment where young women can thrive.
Beyond Tokenism: A Call for Real Empowerment
Beyond receiving the award, Panda was a key voice in a panel discussion focused on the critical issue of raising confident girls. The panel, titled "Bringing Up Girls," explored how to create social structures and support systems for girls to succeed in a complex and often unequal society. She was joined by other thought leaders, including Sara Abdullah Pilot, Charu Narang Singh, and Radhika Bharat Ram, in a discussion moderated by Priya Sehgal. Panda argued that true empowerment requires moving beyond superficial gestures and confronting the deeply entrenched gender norms that often limit the aspirations of girls, particularly in rural areas.
She emphasized that lasting change is built on a foundation of sustained investment in education, healthcare, and mentorship. During the discussion, Panda introduced her framework for empowerment, centered on what she calls the "three A's": Agency, Aspiration, and Access. She stressed that providing girls with the agency to make their own choices, fostering their aspirations to dream big, and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources are the essential pillars for building a generation of confident, transformative women. Her message was a powerful call to action for families, communities, and workplaces to become active allies in creating these supportive ecosystems.
A Platform for Impact
The 'We Women Want Conclave' provided a fitting backdrop for this recognition. The event, which featured keynote addresses from prominent figures like Dr. Shashi Tharoor and Union Minister Gajendra Sekhawat, has become a significant national platform for advocacy and dialogue on women's issues. By honoring leaders like Shaifalika Panda alongside grassroots innovators such as the 'Drone Didis', the conclave reinforces the message that meaningful change is driven by dedicated leadership at every level of society. Panda's award is not just a personal honor, but a celebration of the impactful, community-led work that is essential for creating a more equitable future.
Key Pointers
- Prestigious Recognition: Shaifalika Panda, Founder and CEO of the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation, received the Shakti Award for her significant contributions to social development.
- A Framework for Empowerment: During a panel discussion, Panda outlined her "three A's" approach to empowering girls: fostering Agency, Aspiration, and Access.
- A Call to Action: She emphasized the need to move beyond token efforts and make sustained investments in education, healthcare, and mentorship to dismantle deep-rooted social barriers.
- A National Platform: The award was presented at the influential 'We Women Want Conclave 2025', an event that brings together national leaders and grassroots innovators to advocate for women's issues.
